Individual springing



Feb. '6, 1940. 4 J, w LElGHTON 2,188,952A

INDIVIDUAL SPRINGING Filed Jan. 14, 1938 2 sheets-sheet'l I {NVENTOR A I BY 7027 MEzf/Z Feb 6 1940- J. w. I ElGH'roN l 2,188,952

INDIVIDUAL SPRINGING Filed Jan. 14, 19:58 2 sheets-sheet 2j mandrel. e, v1940 .y

Johnv W. Leighton, Port Huron, Mich. Application January 14, v1938,A Serial No. 1841.961

4 Claims.

The invention relates to motor vehicles and it has particular relation to individual springing for the wheels of such f vehicles.

It is more or less conventional to 'use at the present time an individual springing including upper and lower arms pivoted onv the frame and supporting at their outer ends a wheel mounting member. 'Ordinarilyin this type of spring a coil spring is disposed between a portion of the frame and the lower arm. While the present invention, or at least parts thereof, may have a more general application, it is particularly concerned with this type of springing.

One object of the present invention is to provideindividual springing of the general character indicated wherein instead of Yusing coil springs. rubber under torsion is employed for resiliently connecting at least one of .the arms to the frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangement of this general character wherein improved means are provided for enabling an adjustment of the torsion on the rubber.

Another object of the invention is to provide anarrangement of the general character indi cated, which is simple and inexpensive to manu facture and which is capable of installation and adjustment without requiring much time or .effort.

' Another object of the invention is to provide a torsional joint of improved character '1 which may be manufactured inexpensively and applied easily.

Another object of the vinvention is to provide improved individual springing wherein rubber under torsion or tension is employed for connecting at least the outer end of one arm to the wheel mounting member. l

Cther objects of the invention will become apparent from the following speciilcation, from the drawings to which it relates, andfrom the claims hereinafter set forth.

For a better understanding of the invention, g reference may be had to the drawings wherein:

Figure 1 isa fragmentary elevational view showing a vehicle frame and individual springing Vconstructed according to one form of the invention;

. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view on a larger scale with certain parts broken away, taken substantially along the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view on alar'ger scale taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view on a-larger scale taken substantially along the line 5--5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a iragmentary' view of another arrangement for connecting the inner ends of the arms to the frame; and

Fig. 'll is a cross-sectional -view taken substantially along the line 'l-'l of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 isa fragmentary view illustrating a rubber connection between the outer end of either arm and the wheel mounting member; and

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view on a larger scale taken substantially along the line 9-9of Fig. 8.

Referring to Fig. 1the frame of the vehicle is indicated at I0, the upper arm of the individual springing at II, the lower arm of such springing at I2, the wheel mounting member at I3, and the wheel at I4. 'I'hese arms are pivotally connected to the frame for vertical pivotal movement and' the axes of such pivotal movement are parallel and generally along the frame. It will be noted that the upper arm is shorter than the lower arm.

Now referring to Figs. 2 and 3, which relate to the upper arm, this arm comprises two members I6 and I1 having intermediate abutting portions connected by means of a pin I3 having a shoulder I9 abutting one side and a nut 20 at the other side for locking the arm members together. Be-

' This pin intermediate its ends may have an eccentric portion 28 connected to the apertured upper end of the wheel mounting member I3. It may be added that the pin I8 also may serve as the upper connection for a shock absorber 30, which at its lower end may be connected to the frame.

The arm members I8 and I 1 at their inner ends terminate in trunnion portions 32 and 33 pro` jecting towards each other and substantially abutting. Each of these trunnions is disposed in a sleeve 35 of rubber and the rubber in turn is disposed in a metal sleeve 36 having axially extending corrugations 31 on its outer surface. The trunnlon, rubber sleeveyand metal sleeve 36 are positively interconnected by bonding or vulcanization of the rubber and various processes for vulcanizing rubber to such metal parts may be used, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art. v

' For mounting the metal sleeve 36 on the frame, a sheet metal bracket 40, bolted to the trame as indicated at 4I, has an upwardly extending portion 42 provided with a depression 43 for re' ceiving the metal sleeve 36. `A second bracket 44, 50

sol

llii'i'l'esrmnding-in'shapetctbeu ing part 42 of bracket 48, similarly has a dey -by means of like mountings.

pressed portion 8B, which jointly with the depressed portion 43 provide a lcylindrical opening for the metal sleeve.v Such bracket elements are connected together by means of bolts d6 passing through openings at either side of the opening.

It will be noted that the bracket 44 is formedwith a number of axial corrugations 48 that are disposed over a substantial circumferential portion of its inner periphery-and these corrugations interlock with corrugations 31 on the metal sleeve 36. It will be readily appreciated from this that if the bracket Q4 is removed, the metal sleeve may be turned circumferentially te a new position and then locked in this new position .by again fastening the bracket 4B in place.

Now referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the lower arm i2 comprises arm members 6B and 6I that are bolted together adjacent their outer ends, as indicated at 62. A bracket element 83 may be fastened to the arm by means of the bolt B' to serve as a bumper element and may have a rubber bumper Sii. as shown by Fig.v 1, for engagement with va part of the frame i9, so as to limit downward movement of the latter. Beyond the bolt 62, the arm members il and Si diverge and their outer ends are connected by means of a bolt 66 threaded through openings in such ends.. This bolt intermediate its ends is connected to the lower end of the mounting member i3 by providing an eye portion on the latter and if f 'el may be threaded on the pin and inta the opening in such eye portion.

The arm members @il and 5i at their inner ends terminate in trunnions l@ and 'ii that are directed toward each other and eachfof these trunnions' is pivotally connected to the f I Each: bf' these mountings comprises a rubber sleeve i2 bonded to the trunnion and to a metal sleeve 53. provided disposed in a depressed portion 75 oi' frame iii,

'forming substantially one half of a cylindrical recess, and a bracket it, similarly shaped as the depressed portion i5, forms the reder oi the recess for receiving the' sleeve id. The brack-r et 'i6 is connected to the frame i@ by means of bolts il. As previously described in connection with Fig. 3, the metal sleeve 'i3 has a number of axial corrugations 'i8 on its inner surface adapted to engage certain of the corrugations it and thus lock the metal sleeve i3 against rotation.l By removing the bracket i6, the sleeve 'i3 can be turned to a new position and then locked in such new position by reapplying the bracket.

It will be observed that no coil spring is provided between the irame and the lower arm as may .usually be found in this general type of springing. The use of the coil spring is avoided by employing rubber sleeves as torsional springs which are under tension. It will be appreciated that by turning the metal sleevesbonded to the rubber sleeves -relative to the trunnions on the arms, the rubber can be placed on the desired condition oi' tension and then the metal sleeve may be locked in the adjusted position. It is apparent, for example, that the releasable bracket having the corrugations may be removed and then the frame may be lifted, and this will cause the metal sleeve, rubber, and trunnions, to turn about the axis of pivotal movement since in raising the frame the arms will become angled downwardly and outwardly. With. the frame y aieaesa p in a raised position, the brackets again may be applied so as to lock the metal sleeves in pomtion and then when the frame is released, the load is taken through-torsion or tension of the rubber circumferentially. It of course is apparent that 'either torsional connection may be adjusted seiiarately before the parts are assembled with tbe wheel and wheel mounting member. In any t event, the separable bracket having the corrugations and the metal sleeve having the corrrugations provides a means for initially obtaininga relation which results in the rubber being under tension when the load of the frame is on the arms and also that the corrugated elements provide a means for readily making adjustments necessitated.

. 'Attention may be directed to the fact that the assembly may be easily manufactured,.assembled, and adjusted, `and this is particularly important because the cost of using springing of thischarf acter is therefore lowered accordingly. Each of the arms is of such character that the trunnions thereon may be formed by upsetting or forgingI While rubber torsional springs with the rubber under tension are shown as employed in connection withl both the upper and lower arms, it may be preferable to use such springs only in connection with the upper arm and it is evident that sucient torsion may be used to take the load at each wheel. It is preferable to use the torsional sprlng in connection with the upper a'rm inasmuch as the upper arm is shorter and a greater angle of turning occurs, from which it follows that greater torsion of the rubber results during ordinary up and down movement of the frame. Moreover.y by usingv the rubber springs in connection with the upper arm only, a simplied inexpensive lowering arm may be used since in this event the lower arm ywould, constitute substantially only a guiding means for guiding 'the lower end ofthe wheel mounting member.

Such lower arm in this case could be manufactured from small bar stock and since this l lower arm is longer, the use of smaller bar stock decreases the expense even more because of `the greater length of the arm.

' Referring to Figs. 6 and ,'i, instead of using the corrugated metal sleeve and corrugated bracket, either arm might be connected to the frame in the following manner. Arm members .85 and 815,`

relative turning with `respect to the bolt. It

will be appreciated, however, that by removing the arms or yat least loosening them suiilciently, the bolt and arms may be turned relatively and then tightly connected in their new pitions.

As shownbestbymg. 7, thebolt 8! has arubiiiv whenever increased tension inthe rubber is y aisance ber sleeve 94 around it and this rubber sleeve is' received by two stampings 9| and 92 that have apertured` ange portions 93 for fasteningl the stampings to the vehicle frame. The bolt 89,

sleeve 9i, and stampings are vulcanized together-v so that a strong vulcanized bond is obtained between the rubber and the stampings and the bolt. This arrangement provides a torsional spring as will be evident from prior discussions, and the serrated ends of the bolt permit relative turning adjustment of the arm with respect thereto so as to obtain the tension or torsion condition in the rubber desired.' The arrangement illustrated is exceedingly simple and inexpensive to manufacture and thus the cost of using this type of construction is low. v

While the foregoing has dealt with mountings for the inner ends of the arms, it is to be understood that such rubber torsional springs may be .used also at the'outer ends of the arms. Figs. 8 and 9 show a mounting at the outer end of one arm and this may be applied to one or both arms. In this case, the arm members, for example arm members i6 and Il, have trunnion portions 96 and 91, each o'f which receives a rubber sleeve 99 and the latter in turn is received by a corrugated metal sleeve 99. It will be understood that the rubber is bonded by vulcanization to both the trunnion and metal sleeve. Both metal sleeves are disposed in a semi-cylindrical recess |00 in the wheel mounting member, indicated at and it will be understood thatthe latter correl spondsvto the wheel mounting member Il. For holding the sleeves in the recess and adjustably locking them against turning relative to the wheel mounting member, a bracket III! is bolted to the mounting member and this bracket `has a recess |09 provided with corrugations |04 for' interlocking with corrugations of the metal sleeves. In generaL-therefore, the arrangement is like the mounting shown .at the inner end of the arms in Fig. 2 and adjustment of tension or torsion .may be made in a similar manner.

In the different figures of the drawings, tubular means are provided for receiving the arm trunnions and such means are formed of partially cylindrical members or`brackets and in one instance, a partial recess is formed by a depression in the vehicle frame. 'Ihis general subject matter is embodied and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 176,088, flied November' Although more than one i'orm of the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without de parting from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a motor vehicle frame, upper and lower arms projecting laterally from the frame and pivotally connected thereto for pivotal movement in a substantially vertical plane about an axis extending longitudinally of the frame and wheel mounting means between the outer ends of the arms, the pivotal connection between one of the arms and the frame comprising a tubular member on the frame, a shaft member on the arm and projecting into the tubular member in radially spaced relation thereto, a rubber sleeve between the tubular member and shaft member land bonded to both members. tubular means on therameandrceeivlngthetubularmemberaud ='lar vuans but allowing turning thereof when the' including a releasable section, and enacting ridgesI and grooves on the member and section normally holding the member against turning in the tubusection is released and also allowing application of the section to hold the member in'its new.

position of adjustment, said rubber being normally under torsion when the frame is supported by the wheel and providing a spring between the frame and arm.

2. In combination, a motor vehicle frame, upper and lower arms projecting laterally from the frame and pivotally connected thereto for pivotal movement in a substantially vertical plane about tion of the frame and a sheet metal sectlon'releasably fastened to the frame and jointly 4with the depressed portion providing a bore for receiving the tubular member, means including projections and recesses or. the tubular member and releasable section for normally holding the tubular member against turning but permitting turning thereof when the section is released and allowing application of the section to hold the member in its new position of adjustment, said rubber normally being under torsioiwhelfthe frame is sup. ported by the wheel and providing a spring between the frame and arm. s

3. In an oscillatory joint, a torsional connection comprising a pair of members adapted to have relative oscillatory movement. one having an opening and the other having a shaft portion projecting thereinto in radially spaced relation, a rubber sleeve between the shaft portion and ofthe opening and locked thereto, tubular to connect. it to a support and including a releasi able section, and means on the releasable section and on the iir'st member for normally locking themeans and member against relative turn-4 ing but allowing circumferential -adjustment when the section is released.

4. AIn combination, a motorvehicle frame, upper and lower arms projecting laterally from the frame, means pivotally connecting the arms to the frame, and wheel mounting means between the outer ends of the arms and pivotally connected thereto, the Apivotal connection between the wheel mounting member and one of the arms comprising a trunnion portion on the arm, rubber around the trunnion and bonded thereto, a metal sleeve around the-rubber and bonded thereto and having axial corrugations on its outer periphery, a recessed portion on the end of the `mounting and receiving the metal sleeve, a recessed plate `releasably fastened to the wheel mounting member and jointly with the recessed portion of the wheel mounting member providing a recess for the metal sleeve, and corrugations on.v the plate and engaging certain of the corrugations on the metal sleeve.

JOHN W. L'IIGH'IUN. 

